Workers Feel Need to Stay Constantly Connected, Survey Finds

A survey finds nearly one in two Americans (48 percent) who use technology in their everyday jobs say that they are now required to do more work with fewer resources due to the current economic climate. As an example, nearly one third (30 percent) feel that they need to stay connected to work 24/7, even during weekends, breaks or holidays.

The recent economic downturn has American workers stressed,
overworked and anxious, but many are turning to technology to help them
cope. According to a survey released today by InterCall, a conferencing
and collaboration services provider, workers are using technology to
stay connected (sometimes even secretly), work harder and maintain job
security to survive the economic recovery.
The survey, which
polled 2,500 knowledge workers about their attitudes and behaviors as
they relate to technology in the workplace, found nearly one in two
Americans (48 percent) who use technology in their everyday jobs say
that they are now required to do more work with fewer resources due to
the current economic climate.

As an example, nearly one-third (30 percent) feel that they need to
stay connected to work 24/7, even during weekends, breaks or holidays.
However, 72 percent say that advanced technology, such as conferencing
and collaboration tools, enables them to work faster, better and
improves their morale - because they see the company providing them
with the right resources and tools to do more with less.

While the economic climate has even driven workers to use conferencing
from locations they don't want their boss to know about, there is good
news for stressed employees. Many said advanced technology makes it
easy for most workers to feel connected anytime (80 percent), which is
telling considering almost one in four employees (24 percent) fear that
if they don't stay connected to their work during their time off, they
may be seen as less committed to their jobs.

"Despite the incredible pressure facing American workers, they value
technology and the tools that keep them easily connected as an
important resource to ease their anxiety about their job," said
Kathleen Finato, senior vice president of marketing and product
management for InterCall. "Companies can really impact overall morale
and enhance employees' job performance simply by providing their
employees with the appropriate devices and services that will make them
feel empowered."

The survey found more than four out of five American workers (81
percent) said technology helps them be more efficient and more
productive at work and 25 percent of American workers surveyed said
their job security is partially dependent on their supervisor seeing
they are connected to work even after hours. The survey found men are
twice as likely than women to conduct business from locations they
choose not to disclose to their bosses, colleagues and customers. Three
in five workers (58 percent) say that technology gives them a
competitive edge over colleagues in the office, while five percent of
respondents said they even use conferencing to take meetings so they
can wear what they want and avoid wearing typical meeting attire such
as suits, ties or even shoes.

Nathan Eddy is Associate Editor, Midmarket, at eWEEK.com. Before joining eWEEK.com, Nate was a writer with ChannelWeb and he served as an editor at FierceMarkets. He is a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.